If you want to experience wonderful meals, then a variety of French food must be high on your list. French cooking has always been well regarded when it comes to delicious flavors and enjoyable meals. Let’s talk a little more about some popular French food.
Foie gras is probably one of the most popular delicacies in French cooking. Its flavor has been described at rich, buttery and delicate. This food is made from goose or duck liver which is not normally described in that fashion. However the method in which the liver is prepared gives it this delicious and delicate taste.
This liver can be sold whole or it may be prepared into a mouse, parfait or pate. It is normally served as an accompaniment to other food items such as toast or steak.
It is derived from fattened duck or goose liver using a traditional technique called gavage which is the force feeding of ducks or geese. This fattens up their livers in order to achieve desired results.
The gavage technique goes back as far as 2,500 BC. At that time the ancient Egyptians began breeding and keeping birds for food. They deliberately fattened these birds through force feeding. Now France is the by far the largest producer and consumer of this very famous and delicious food.
Another famous French food is called Truffles. They are very rare and highly sought after edible fungi. They are found in close proximity to trees and have a smell similar to deep friend sunflower seeds or walnuts. They are also highly prized for their aphrodisiac properties.
The most sought after truffles are the Truffe Noir or Truffe noir de Perigord varieties. They comes from the Perigord region of France and grow exclusively around oak trees. They are most often found in late autumn and winter and can reach almost 7 cm in diameter and weight up to 100g.
The harvesters of truffles are called trufficulteurs. It can take many years for truffles to develop after planting the trees and they are often difficult to spot. Sometimes these men used trained dogs or pigs to sniff out the truffles.
Because these foods are so expensive, they are not normally eaten by themselves but rather as a tasty ingredient in other foods. They also have a short shelf life and must therefore be eaten rather quickly following harvest and processing.
And probably one of the most famous foods in France is called ceps. These are wild edible mushrooms which grow all over the countryside in France. Care must be taken to choose poisonous varieties but experienced people understand and can spot the differences.
These mushrooms are often difficult to find and the most flavorful varieties can be quite expensive. They also do not stay fresh so they must be eaten rather quickly as well. However they are a wonderful addition to a flavorful dish and are suitable for many kinds of meals.
There are many other kinds of famous and tasty French foods. Check out your local gourmet shop or online store for further information and recommendations. You’ll be sure to find some wonderful items to try. It will make your introduction to French foods a truly remarkable and wonderful experience.